AWARENESS is being raised about a mobile chemotherapy service which was set up to bring treatment closer to home for thousands of cancer patients across England.

Tetbury based charity Hope for Tomorrow provides Mobile Chemotherapy Units to NHS Trusts in eight rural counties across the UK, and has saved rural cancer patients the stress of travelling for treatment by bringing treatment closer to their homes.

On Monday , it is launching its country-wide Chemotherapy in the Community Week to raise awareness, and vital funds to supply more MCUs and keep existing units on the road.

At an event at Cheltenham General Hospital, on Thursday Hope for Tomorrow celebrated the launch of the week saving patient a total of 500,000 miles for treatment by bringing treatment closer to their homes.

Among those that joined in the celebrations was former patient of the unit Christine Jack and the mayor of Cheltenham Simon Wheeler.

Mrs Jack explained that when she first started treatment it was at Cheltenham General Hospital and when she started having it at the unit when it visited Cirencester Hospital it was far more convenient for her.

“It was far easier for me to get treatment in Cirencester and the treatment was very informal.”

“At Cheltenham you have to spend most of the day here.

“The unit was just lovely and there is a very relaxed atmosphere.”

Claire Cosgrove, of Hope for Tomorrow explained that the charity is hoping to provide mobile chemotherapy units in more counties across the country and would be launching a new unit in Cornwall next year.

She said that people who use the unit see it as more than just a place to get treatment.

“They look forward to going for their treatment. It is a support network for them, " she said.

Hope for Tomorrow was set up in 2003 by Tetbury woman Christine Mills whose husband David died after battling cancer.

Mrs Cosgrove added: “She sadly lost David but she decided to do something  to help cancer patients.”